Exploring the Touristic and Local Parks of Barcelona

If you walk around Barcelona, chances are you’ll stumble upon a park. With over 40 parks of all shapes and sizes, it may be difficult to choose one to visit. Here are a few parks that are especially noteworthy.

Parc Güell

This is an amazing park to start off with! Originally, it was meant to be a private residence, yet only two houses were built. What’s great about this park is the diversity in architectural style and fauna. Also, there are two great viewpoints here. Most of the park is free, but the central part now costs between 7-8€ to enter. However, this can easily be seen from above, so I’d suggest only visiting if you’re a fan of Gaudí. The best way to arrive is by either Line 3 and getting off at Lesseps or Line 4 either Joanic or Alfons X.

Parc de la Ciutadella

This was one of the first public parks built in Barcelona. There are often events here as well as people playing music, dancing, and much more. There are 3 main attractions: the fountain, the lover’s goose pond, and Barcelona’s Zoo. The whole park is free, except for the zoo which costs between 10-15€ for an adult, depending on the time of year. The best way to get here is by Line 1 and get off at Arc de Triomf or by FGC (the local train).

If you prefer a less touristy park here are a few options.

Parc del Guinardó

The best part about this park is the 360° viewpoint. You can find this at the top of the park where you’ll find Bunkers del Carmel. This one is especially popular with locals and runners on the weekends. It’s also one of the largest public parks in Barcelona. This one is a bit tricky to find, the closest metro stop is ‘Guinardó | Hospital de Sant Pau’ with Line 4. Entrance to the park is free!

Park El Clot

This is another hidden local gem as it’s in one of the less touristic neighborhoods. This is great for sports as it has free access to three basketball hoops and two football pitches (cemented). It also has a unique design as it’s an old factory that has been turned into a park. Many of the previous buildings ruins have been integrated into the park, such as a type of aqueduct feature. This is near the Glories shopping center and can be accessed by Line 1, Line 2, or FGC (local train) at either ‘Glories’ or ‘Clot’. The entrance to this park is also free.

There are many more parks, green areas, and nature to explore in Barcelona. How about telling us your favorite green space you enjoy in Barcelona?